Based on SOTW earlier enquiries, I narrowed down my low budget decent soprano sax future upgrade to a modern design alternative to a) Antigua and b) Bauhaus Walstein.
I'm currently playing a curved Wurlitzer vintage soprano saxophone and I really like the tone but it has limitations by design and build that I can't make best use of it as an adult beginner.
Would you recommend I stick to curvy and get the Walstein or don't mind the shape and go for the better one of two which I would appreciate if I can get feedback from you. Better one for me is one that offers well built design with fast action and comfortable ergonomics, and a warm and vibrant sound (hopefully). I think price wise they are not too different.
Interesting that you narrowed you choice to these two because earlier this year a student of mine started on the Antigua and barely a month into his lessons bought the Walstein. He said he much preferred the Walstein and always brought it to his lessons after that.
I gave each horn a brief tryout and from what I remember the Walstein was really fun to play even though I prefer straight sopranos. There was also a problem that developed with the octave key mechanism on the Antigua a short time after he received it.
I can't tell you much more than that since this student took a break from lessons during the summer.
I have an antigua ss4290 presently and yes the spacer on the octave pendulum did fall off within the first week, but I seriously doubt a walstein would out play my horn! I had a walstein phosphor bronze horn and as i remember the sound was bland and one dimensional....had to sell though it! amazingly good looking horn it was, and For the price its probably still a good deal.
I've been super pleased with the Antigua 590. I play it all the time, perform with it almost every week and never have a bit of trouble out of it.
The BW may be great too. But I know 100% that the Antigua is a very good instrument. Plus, you can buy your Antigua straight from Dave Kessler. So you get a great guy to deal with too.
I've found that, at least for me, even tho I play a Yani straight sop all the time, and it is an AWESOME horn, there's just something "fun" about playing a curvy (and mine is an el'cheapo). So you might enjoy a curvy soprano more than a straight soprano. Someday I need to get a Yani curvy, I guess...............
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